Career file: The page where readers share their career secrets

This month Simon Bellotti Sales recruitment and training manager Britannic Assurance Age 32 How long have you been in this job?I have just completed two years’ service and have a long way to go before I receive any long service awards.How long have you been with your company?For the same length of time, although it feels so much longer.What does your role involve?So many people ask me this that I’m starting to get a little paranoid. Our aim, as a training and development function, is to set the standards that others strive to achieve, and my job, basically, is to do everything possible to make that aim a reality.What’s the best thing about your job?There are two things really, although they may sound a bit cheesy. The first thing is that I love to know that I am making a difference and have a part to play in making people more effective in what they do. The second thing is that I have a fantastic team of people around me who are so unbelievably committed to being the best at what we do.What’s the worst thing about your job?The long hours can be exhausting at times and I don’t feel that training departments always get the credit that they deserve.What is your current major project or strategic push?We have a dozen or so projects on the go at the moment that are all labelled as "major" and "number one priority".Favourite buzzwords?JFDI, maRRRvellous, "delight = expectation plus one", "bottle of Bud please".Most loathed buzzwords?"Let’s have a look at the budget."Are you good at self-development?I try to practise what I preach so I have to say a definite yes.What self-development have you done in the last six months?I have started my master’s degree in Training & Development and am desperately trying to find some hours each week that are not already accounted for in order to study.Where do you want to be in five years time?To be recognised as the best at what I do.What was the most useful course you ever went on?I completed a course in NLP that I thought was fantastic and has helped in both my professional and personal life.What was the worst course you ever went on?I think that any training event that cannot be transferred in to the real world is a complete waste of time, and unfortunately I have attended quite a few.What did you want to do for a living when you were at school?I wanted to join the police force.What was your first job?I joined the police force.What was the worst career decision you ever made?Joining the police force.What was the best career decision you ever made?I hope that is still to come.Which of your qualifications do you most value and why?I don’t think you can beat real life experience, and I can honestly say that I learn something new every single day.How many minutes is it since someone in your organisation said, "People are our greatest assets"?I have just this minute come from a meeting…Evaluation – Holy Grail or impossible dream?If I thought it was an impossible dream then I’d better pack up my bags now.How do you think your job will have changed in five years time?I would imagine it to be much broader and to encompass things that are typically considered to be outside of the training arena.What advice would you give to someone starting out in training and development?1 Be 200 per cent committed to making a difference from day one.2 Learn from your peers and model yourself on the best bits of everybody around you.3 Accept praise and criticism when they are due.4 Don’t ever think that you know everything.How do you network?Very badly.Do you take work home with you?I’d love to say never, but unfortunately the answer is all the time.What is your motto?Be the best you can at every thing that you do.Describe your management style in three words or less.Non-textbook.How would you like to be remembered by your colleagues?As a breath of fresh air who desperately tried to make a difference.If you could have any job in the world, what would it be?Personal slave to Kylie Minogue.